With the 136th choice of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks began the fifth round by selecting Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, a position they have been successful in selecting in the later stages of the draft.
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During the previous four seasons at Auburn, Pritchett participated in all but one game and started every game on a full-time basis the last three. The 23-year-old tied for eighth overall and was fourth among corners at the NFL combine with a 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds, making him one of the fastest players in the draft. When the Seahawks made their decision, he was the quickest player still available.
Pritchett combines his quickness with a 6-foot, 190-pound build and arms that measure 31 5/8 inches.
The native of Jackson, Alabama, finished the 2017 campaign with 22 tackles, four pass break-ups, and an interception. During his five seasons with the Tigers, Pritchett racked up 115 tackles, 29 pass break-ups, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.
Pritchett was tipped by NFL.com to be selected in the fourth round, and draft expert Lance Zierlein said the following about the player:
Long, thin outside corner who may have sufficiently enhanced off-man coverage should be taken into account in the majority of coverage schemes. Pritchett may be a route bully below and stall the release thanks to his length. He will hug up on double movements and comebacks, using his length to impact throwing windows, and he is fairly comfortable with the press. He can be a touch slow to flip and sprint deep off his pedal, and his lateral transitions are mediocre, allowing for slight separations at lateral break spots. As a result, he might require safety assistance over the top. Day 2 of the draft will find his size and length enticing, but in order to gain consistent starting reps, he needs to improve as a run support tackler.
Pritchett strengthens the Seahawks secondary, which already has two recent draft selections vying for starting cornerback positions. While second-year Devon Witherspoon got No. 5 overall in the previous year’s draft, third-year Riq Woollen was selected in the fifth round in 2022. The 2021 fourth-round pick, Tre Brown, started seven games in the previous campaign. Coby Bryant and Michael Jackson are still involved.
Pritchett becomes the latest addition to an outstanding group of defensive backs selected in the fifth round since general manager/president of football operations John Schneider assumed over in 2010. Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Woollen—a 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist—are the players that stand out on that list.
The Seahawks made three selections in a span of 19 picks before selecting Pritchett. Three additional sixth-round picks, currently held by Seattle, are available at overall positions 179, 192, and 207.
